iMac (mid 2010) Core i3 review
By Nilay Patel 
posted August 2nd 2010 5:30PM
posted August 2nd 2010 5:30PM
Hardware
Externally, the new iMac is exactly the same as the previous generation -- a more squared-off riff on the aluminum and glass iMac design Apple's been using since 2007. The 16:9 21.5-inch IPS display continues to impress with frankly stunning viewing angles and excellent color reproduction, although there's just no getting around the glare from the hyper-glossy screen -- and, as usual, Apple deflected our questions about any possibility of a matte option. We can't help but find that confusing: we're sure most people will be happy with the glossy display, but there's no harm in offering the option to people -- Apple does it on the MacBook Pro, after all.
Around back you'll find a fairly average selection of ports: audio in and out, four USB, FireWire 800, mini DisplayPort, and Ethernet, along with a Kensington security slot and the power jack behind the integrated stand. Having all the USB ports on the back makes swapping things like USB flash drives and camera cables in and out a little more awkward then necessary -- we wish Apple would put at least one port on the side, especially since the wireless keyboard has replaced the wired keyboard and its easily-accessible extra USB ports in the standard config. Oh, and unlike the larger 27-inch iMac, the mini DisplayPort on the 21.5-inch model doesn't double as a video input, so you can't use the display for console gaming or anything like that.
Yeah, oops.
Speaking of the side, the right side holds the slot-loading 8x DVD burner -- no Blu-ray here -- and an SDXC card slot. The SD slot is obviously welcome, but putting it directly under the DVD slot of the exact same width is a recipe for disaster -- we've accidentally stuck an SD card into the DVD drive of our daily driver Core i7 iMac more times than we can count. Apple really needs to move the SD slot farther away from the DVD slot -- fishing around in your shiny new iMac's optical drive for a lost SD card with a butter knife is not a recommended leisure activity.
As far a peripherals, Apple packs in its tiny wireless keyboard and Magic Mouse standard -- you can switch up to the wired keyboard with numeric keyboard and / or the wired mouse for free, but you'll have to pay an extra $69 for the Magic Trackpad and another $29 to score Apple's new battery charger and to have all the peripherals pre-loaded with rechargeables. Note that you can't replace the Magic Mouse with the Magic Trackpad -- Apple says that while some users will set the mouse aside entirely, it expects most people to use both input devices on the desktop. We've reviewed the Magic Trackpad separately, so we won't linger on it too long -- all we'll say here is that we wish we could swap the Magic Mouse for the Trackpad entirely at no cost, since we generally use a third-party mouse anyway.
Of course, the biggest news is inside the case, where the new 3.06GHz Intel Core i3 sits on a 1,333MHz DMI bus with 4GB of RAM and a new discrete ATI Radeon HD 4670 graphics chip with its own dedicated 256MB of RAM takes over from the integrated NVIDIA GeForce 9400m in the outgoing model. Apple promises the new chip is a huge upgrade from the old 3.06GHz Core 2 Duo -- up to 50 percent in some situations. So... is it? Let's look at the numbers.
Performance
Of course, those numbers don't mean anything without some real-world results, and the Core i3 iMac more than held its own doing everyday tasks -- we obviously had no trouble doing some writing while browsing, IMing, and playing some music. Playing back a 1080p video on the 21.5-inch display was quick and painless, and we were able to encode a 30-second 720p H.264 video in around 25 seconds, which is more than solid.
The combination of the Core i3 and discrete ATI Radeon HD 4670 also made the iMac a reasonably credible gaming system -- we averaged between 30-60fps at full 1920 x 1080 resolution and average detail settings in Half Life 2: Episode 2, and 60-70fps at the same settings in Portal. That's not bad at all -- as usual, we don't think hardcore gamers are going to flock to the Mac at these numbers, but you're not going to be unhappy if you're just looking to have some fun. (Playing any of these games with the Magic Mouse will make you tear your hair out and light your skull on fire, however, but that's a different story.)
All in all, the Core i3 and Radeon HD 4670 more than lived up to their billing here -- they provide a noticeable performance boost over the familiar Core 2 Duo / 9400m setup that was Apple's standard kit for so long, and we doubt the average iMac buyer will run up against any performance limitations. In fact, if you're considering a Core i7 MacBook Pro and you can live without portability, an iMac might even be the better bet.
Wrap-up
Oh an Apple article. I must post the usual anti-iPhone 4 comment so I can be highest ranked!
But really, these look like great computers and it was a great refresh for the iMac line.
@millertime021
can this computer get any better?
(maybe an i5 or i7 but its still good)
@uckApple
It seems to vary wildly
@millertime021
Any ostentatious post regarding sentiment (or anti-sentiment) towards any product without sound reasoning is frowned upon.
@millertime021 These are much better value for money and any other similarly spec'd computer. I wish engadget had posted some benchmarks. I can bet money that the iMac is faster than the other all-in-ones as well. Oh... and ... Apple sucks! Go Google! /s
@erik1080 Well it was more of a joke. As I own an iPhone 3Gs and an i7 MacBook Pro, I do like my Apple products. However, I think the iPhone 4 is a bit of bad design.
@millertime021
I'd get one if it were a little bit less.
@millertime021
I would like to see apple actually make something different from the exterior. I know a lot of people are going to disagree but the iPod touch,MacBook pro, Mac pro, air, haven't been refreshed in their outside shell, but only from the inside. If componen ts really are getting smaller and more efficient, I think designs should follow. JUST my opinion.
@MGore32 Everything can get better. Add blu-ray, better. Add 3D, (potentially) better. Space Monkeys that read your brain and do you computer interactions for you, better. Also, I want a robot computer that dances when goddam tell it to.
@millertime021 It's rather embarrassing though that Nilay Patel has trouble finding the hole.
@deliteguy
As an experienced apple buyer I must tell you that these internal updates are the best, all the power and upgrades without the bugs of a Rev A product. The product design is still 5 years ahead of the competition. Although I somehow doubt any other manufacture will ever catch up to the build quality and material Apple uses.
@deliteguy The designs will follow. I feel (along with Apple apparently) that the current designs are well designed based off looks and functionality. Most people like them where they are at and until there is a major shift in processor size (i.e. 45nm to 32nm) I believe Apple will hold on to these designs. Once internals are overhauled, then the exterior will be as well.
@uckApple
Don't uckApple's comments always disapear?
@millertime021 Now can we possibly lower the MacBook prices? Seriously those things are expensive.
@millertime021
im only bothered by the gfx card, it's over 2 years old? in a computer thats a week old?
@millertime021
The iMac is about the only non-overpriced Apple product.
@millertime021
I can't say that I like Apple as a company, but the new entry-level iMac looks really nice for that price.
@millertime021 nice screen glare
@Tuan X
That's what she...said?
@JojoMojo i didnt know that google makes all in one computers.................
@ok old news again You're Kidding right?
@ok old news again The worst desktop os? It's more stable than windows 7 and faster, windows 7 just comes on cheaper computers which is why I got a gateway mini tower with 2.93 ghz, 6 gb ram, 1 tb hd, and 9 USB for $500, and windows 7 runs almost as well as osx on these specs, but osx is awesome, most people (including me) like/are more used to windows, plus macs are expensive, but apple makes great hardware, great software which is why their products are getting ranked 9/10
@EVERYONE THAT READS THIS
HP's 200xt All-in-One has equal specs for a lot less. And yes, it does have a 21.5" 1080p LED display (no glare). And no, I'm not an HP fanboy- I build my own rigs. But I know a good deal when I see one.
@the people who say Apple has great build quality
Apple doesn't build the computers!!!! It's Foxconn thats building them. So.... Yeah.... Foxconn... building what you spent $30000000000000000 on. And I'm not some poor kid who lives in his moms basement. I'm a private school kid (meaning that almost every other kid I know uses a Mac. Especially the Asians...). Well, you now know where your shiny glorified box comes from...
@Tuan X Thats what he said
@Indefinite Implosion
Of course, for 99% of people (Apple and non-Apple alike) couldn't tell you the difference between an IPS or TN. They certainly wouldn't pay hundreds of dollars more for it.
I've come to the conclusion that Apple is actually underpricing their products. It's clear after reading these posts that Apple fans will gladly pay MORE. To be excited about a machine that stays the same sans a bump in the processor/GPU speaks volumes about what Apple consumers want.
There's nothing wrong with that, I just don't understand why the folks at Cupertino don't charge more. If people will happily pay a $300 premium for an Apple desktop today, I'd be willing to bet that you could talk them into a $500 premium.
@millertime021
Personally don't think this really deserves a review, mainly because it is a simple hardware refresh, but we all know how much engadget loves apple products, so i guess i should have expected it more.
@ok old news again i assume your all ther other "ok" trolls and your the best troll on this website by far (not a compliment)
@ok old news again
"9/10? how do you give somethin near perfect when it has OSX, the worst desktop OS out right now?"
There is no more superior OS on Earth right now than OS X. Works flawlessly, has zero viruses, and is intuitive/user-friendly.
@HighestRanked1
While I agree that OSX is more stable and altogether preferable to people that have given it a chance, there are a few viruses circulating Macs. It's just that they're uncommon and generally simple to remove.
@millertime021
Nilay, there's nothing wrong with the SD card. You're holding it wrong.
@BrianH
Really.. I bought one of these for an SFF shuttle rig of mine a while back. Great card with good performance vs power usage ratio. Probably why they are using it. I doubt they could throw something way more powerful in there without generating too much heat.
I can hear Steve.. If you see 3 loud fans, you blew it.
@MGore32
Sure, once 2008 calls and requests their GPUs back.
@MGore32
Matte option and hardware calibration for display, please! As today, iMac is useless for serious photo editing or graphics design. But it looks great!
@millertime021
The processor is 32nm already...
@HighestRanked1
My problem with Mac OSX is more the security issues with Safari (which is built in meaning most people use it) but its definitely not the fastest. They have a more standard platform so Windows 7 computers can look slow in comparison if you aren't getting the same tier purchase, but thats not the point.
I don't think that Apple makes bad products most of the time. I, however, do NOT agree with the direction that Apple is taking developers and consumers alike and I do NOT agree with the overall company.
Honestly I think this is where most Apple haters stand. It's undeniable that when you have such a unified hardware platform that you will be able to do some very nice things with it, but what does that ultimately mean when it comes down to Apple having a share like Microsoft does. It means that the conversion process will be so difficult that Apple will be the new Microsoft of owning your soul.
Everything you buy from Apple will only work on your Apple products and everything (developer side) you purchase from Apple will be locked into more Apple Products
Its much like Face-Talk, no Android device will ever see this technology and thats not because Android couldn't handle it, its because Apple won't share technology to improve innovation. That's like Google saying that Google Nav and Google Maps and Google Voice and Google Search and Google Mail and Youtube will only work on Android devices.
Where would the world be if everything was like that. It would be a war of patients and polarizing products.
I say lets unify technology together and get some good stuff coming out of it.
(This is why I am Pro-Google on its overall business strategy, and yes I know Google has its own flaws, but its undeniable that they lead the way when it comes to sharing resources)
@all
Is this computer available yet or are these the press demos, only? I would be very curious about if anything has changed regarding noise since the last revision.
I bought the 21.5 IMac 2 times: in December 2009 and Feb 2010 and had to return them: it emitted a nerve-wrecking high-pitched noise which in my opinion everybody should be able to hear in a quiet home-office surrounding and with ears that are still capable of hearing high frequencies in general. This prevented me from switching.. too bad :-(
@uckApple
What an irony! You wrote an anti-Apple comment and you got downranked. And thus you proved your point! lol
@Tuan X
That's what she said?
@corylulu Not to disagree with your overall point. But as for your example, I have to state a few things. Number one: it's called FaceTime (no matter how bad of a name that is). Number two: Apple plans to release the FaceTime protocol in the near future, so Android phones will very likely have applications that use it (in fact, I know people planning to work on that particular feature once enough information is available).
Apple very much tries to support open standards, especially when it benefits them directly.
@afwjam
"The product design is still 5 years ahead of the competition."
HAHAHA. Good one.
@millertime021 the most expensive i3 computer...that is..
@corylulu
I think you're confusing the 'locked-in' model Apple uses for the iPhone App Store with OS X (which even includes Boot Camp, so you can run Windows if you want). Apple has already said that FaceTime (aka Face Talk) will be open so it may appear on Android. Remember also that Apple campaigned hard for record labels to allow iTunes to sell DRM free music. I'm trying to say the locked down App Store is not 100% indicative of the Apple way of thinking.
Comparing Apple with Google is difficult, since Google is a completely different business - an advertising company who only makes money through collecting user information and selling ad space. Google offers a free OS and other software (not hardware) in order to sell advertising space, by driving users towards their ad supported services, search being the biggest money spinner. I'm not saying that's a bad thing, but it makes a comparison with Apple, who make money from selling complete products (hardware, sofware and stores like iTunes, the book store and the app store) quite difficult.
Also, iOS devices (which really stemmed from the iPod) are very different from the iMac and OS X in terms of the freedom of the user.
@millertime021
Is that a mobile 4670 or a desktop one? Big difference.
@HighestRanked1
> There is no more superior OS on Earth right now than OS X.
> Works flawlessly, has zero viruses, and is intuitive/user-friendly.
As an OS, any Debian based Linux is better.
Whether or not MacOS works flawlessly is entirely dependent on how far you want to deviate from the basic bundleware and what hardware you choose.
It handily beats Windows but that's not saying much.
@mrkbrtn
Okay, well I didn't know about the FaceTime thing, but I still do think my post has merit.
Btw, BootCamp does not support an argument against mine because its Apple running other peoples hardware, not Mac OSX running on a Windows machine.
But I do not think they have tried to make open standards, look at H.264 or their software patient portfolio that they readily use to sue on a regular basis.
Like the fact that HTC got sued just says after multitouch was put into the Android OS after rumors leaked out that Apple said they would sue Google if they ever put multitouch into there platform.
If Apple honestly thinks that multitouch technology is truly innovative and intelligent property then there is something really wrong with them.
But regardless, on the hardware side, there is no argument, everything Apple works with Apple only products and they do thinks like pay car manufactures to put in iPod hookups rather than simple AUX cables or a USB for multiple standards. They go around to companies and do things like this to close out the competition from catching up.
Most people would never buy a Zune simply because nothing works with it, not because its a bad product.
@corylulu
Everyone sues everyone else to try and protect IP, that's just the way of the world nowadays. I don't think Apple is any worse than anyone else. I blame the lawyers!
When you say Apple products only work with Apple products, I guess that's true in the sense that they do not license their OS to work with other machines. It's also true that the iPod/iPhone/iPad use a proprietory connector, although that is licensed to third party accessory makers for a fee. But you can use iOS devices on PCs.
As I said, I think the comparison with Google is difficult because Google software is free to the end user - remember Google Maps is bundled with iOS devices. Apple were happy to work with Google (and even have them on their board of directors) when they didn't compete, but Google entered the mobile OS market and things changed.
Google's OS is designed to drive you towards Google services like gmail, maps, etc so they can sell space to advertisers. Google are equally as protective of their intellectual property - their search algoryhms - because that's their business.
I'm not saying I think there's anything wrong with preferring Google and the advantages an Android phone has over the iPhone particularly in terms of the hardware and software freedom, but this is an article about the iMac, not mobile phones. I don't think your arguments really relate to the iMac or OS X.
@corylulu Ya, there's a lot you either don't know or don't understand.
1) FaceTime is open to whoever want to implement it.
2) You can't even begin to compare iOS user mode to OS X because they're 2 different industries. Apple will most likely keep their technologies in-brand with iOS, but not OS X, against other platforms. Look at Safari, QuickTime, Mobile Me.
3) What you're not quite getting is that Google sells ads. Buy downloading a free application, you agree to have Google take information from your computer and use sell it to distributors. That's a very sketchy business, but all you see is, "Free" and "Open." Of course it's open, THEY SELL ADS! Apple sells hardware. The difference between Apple and HP is that, Apple has control over what their computers can do. iWork is a fantastic Suite, why should Apple release that for Windows when Apple is trying to sell ease of use in OS X? It just doesn't work. The only hardware Google had, failed in the Nexus One. Multi-Touch is an Apple technology in cellphones. It makes iOS "easier to use."
4) I don't know what you mean with your car example. My car can connect through USB or Bluetooth. USB is a standard that most products use to connect through. If you're referring to Apple's 30 pin connector, well, you're point has no clout because plenty of phones running Android use proprietary connectors. In fact, I saw an Android phone with a 2.5mm headphone jack. No, it's not proprietary, but you can bet if someone was looking for headphone replacements, they're going to buy from the company selling the phone.
Lastly, I have to reiterate that Apple works on many different fronts, all of which, use different strategy. Apple is on top of their mobile platform war, that's why they can afford to keep all mobile applications and services within Apple products. OS X is completely different. Apple is behind and the regularly release open services, like Google, because they just want an instal base. Of course, the instal base is used for different reasons (Apple: Get users interest in more Apple products, Google: Get users free content so they can sell more Ads).
@corylulu
"If Apple honestly thinks that multitouch technology is truly innovative and intelligent property then there is something really wrong with them."
How is it NOT truly innovative? And how is there something wrong with Apple for thinking that it is? Now just about every smart phone is implementing multitouch. Apple did it first in their phones. People loved it. That's innovation. SO you hate Apple. Great. But stop being in denial about their ability to innovate.
"But regardless, on the hardware side, there is no argument, everything Apple works with Apple only products"
Another example of how uninformed (perhaps intentionally) you are. I've used lots of non-Apple-branded peripherals on all my Apple-branded devices over the years. Please, do some research before making stupid claims like this. It makes you an easy target for people who actually know better.
@MGore32 Bluray? It is after all 2010 now, isn't it?
@ok old news again
yeah cause os x is plagued with issues right. all those exploits. it looks horrible too. not to mention the fact that is written specifically for the hardware it runs on. what is it like to have to run virus software, and malware scanners all the time? does that slow down your already inefficient os? it's nice to have a computer than can run any/every piece of software on the market... no matter what os it is written for.